Good Deer rifle for small frame adult?

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You mentioned 4 inch groups off hand at 100 yards. It takes a lot of practice to do that. I would concentrate on practicing off of improvised rests. You mentioned the ruger m77 compact. I think that might be a good choice for you in .243. Some people thint the 243 is too light for deer. I don't, but a better choice might be a 260 remington. I think that would be available in a Remington model 7 youth. If length of pull is an issue -- the distance from butt to triger, both the Rem mod 7 youth and the Ruger mod 77 compact are about 1 inch shorter than what is considered standard. If it is barrell length and weight that is bothering you, both of these have short and light barrels compared to your 30-06.
 
Just because we have been discussing it lately, if you have an AR, consider 6.5 Grendel.

6.8 is OK on moderate sized game and at short range. I've no experience with the Mini-14 in 6.8, but the platform is not know for it's accuracy.

I'll also vote for 243, 260 or 7mm-08, with a nod towards the smaller calibers if you are recoil sensitive. Better a smaller round that you are comfortable with an can shoot accurately. A big cartridge badly placed is far owrse than a smaller one put in the right place. 223 is very popular around here for whitetail. Put it where it needs to go and you'll have no problem. 243 or 260 are more than sufficient.

I do like the little CZ-527 carbine in 7.62x39 but it's another cartridge that really need handloading to bring to full potential and is only suitable for a couple hundred yards. I really wish CZ would offer the 527 in 6.8 or 6.5 Grendel. I've built one of each and that rifle in those calibers should make a dandy little deer gun.
 
Rem model seven in 7mm-08 or the new 6.5mm-08 or whatever they are calling it; 6.5 Redding, 6.5 American, 260 Remington, or if you like custom chamberings, the 270 Redding. But the most important part is a stock that fits. If you cannot find a gunsmith to shorten your stock and fit a new recoil pad, order one from MPI in Oregon. They will make one with whatever length of pull you need. Measured from inside elbow to first joint of index finger. P.s. they can even make one for the rifle you have now and they do glass bedding.
 
Getting a "youth" stock or going to the ole marlin 30-30 would be two good options to try. I have shot a few guns that didn't fit me well over the years and I can tell you my accuracy suffered. BTW if you are really only looking at 150yard in the 30-30 in a good little marlin 336 has a TON to offer you. I know of many folks who are recoil shy with the 30-06 but are fine dropping down to the 30-30, and again smallish folks tend to have little to no trouble with the guns.
 
"Remington Mdl-7 . In 7mm-08
You will be happy

This guy said it all...Can't go wrong in this gun in the standard or the youth model. 7mm-08 with the Remington 140 gr core lokt is some serious serious firepower on the whitetail deer."

remmy model 7 is a lovely rifle, although very light. I have one and i use 145 gr speer spitzers at a max over re19. the felt recoil is really quite heavy. If you are recoil sensitive reload only up to a 130gr with a quicker powder say N140.

steve
 
:) Hello touro1979

If that 30-06 is causing you to flinch, so will a .270.:eek:

In my part of the country a lot of young men really like the .243 for deer hunting. And they've got the evidence of their endeavors mounted on the wall. :cool:
I'd like to add that I know of a few guys that have a similar build as you that use this caliber.

If that is too much gun for ya, you could consider a .223, but it may not be legal in your neck of the woods. :scrutiny:

Sage
 
Look at a Stevens Model 200 in a 7mm-08. The rifle has a slightly shorter Length of Pull. I think the youth models might be a bit smallish for you.

The Stevens in quite accurate, solid, and reliable. ok, the stock ain't the greatest, but for hunting it will do just fine. You can always find a better stock on gunbroker or that other auction site...
 
In that part of the country there is nothing wrong with a Marlin 336 in 30-30.
 
The 30-30 might not be your best bet if your planning on taking shots out to 200 Yds. Personally I like the .243 its big enough for deer and also make and excellent varmint Rd. If you reload you can tailor your ammo to your game. The 7.62 x 39mm is what I hunt with but I keep my shots in the same range as I would hunting with a 30-30,most of my shots are seldom over 100 yds,I always use a prop when available for the longer shots,and with my reloads I get about 1 and 1/2" groups @100 Yds.
 
I have my wood stocks professionally cut by a gunsmith. Its worth it.
Click to expand...
Shortening the stock a couple inches or so was my first thought too, since it sounds like the gun is a good shooter, and why take a loss selling it, to get a shorter gun, if you dont have too, especially when you may end up with one that doesnt shoot as well, or you dont like? I have a Win Model 70 XTR in 30-06 that my dad bought in the early 80's. Before I got it, he had cut a couple inches off the butt, and re-attached the stock buttpad. You'd never know anything was done just looking at it, and it fits me great. I'm 5'5", 145lbs myself. I just know that it wouldnt have been as nice for me if he hadnt taken some off the end like that, because I have bony shoulders/chest, so I put a slip-on recoil pad on it if I'm going to be shotting more than a few shots, and that adds back exactly what he took off, and while the recoil is much better, it just doesnt fit me right. So, I need to take the same amount off again so it will be good with the pad on it.

Just my non-expert opinion.It may be something else about it besides the stock length/LOP that just doesnt work for you when it's not benched.I just know, that a few inches shorter works great for me, as does a recoil pad, so combining the 2 could make all the difference in the world, and cutting the stock is free, and the slip-on pad is like $10 tops. Hard to beat.Likely to be cheaper than selling the gun to buy a new one 9or maybe not, I guess it depends on wha tyour Mossberg would sell for, VS the gun you replace it with)
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. I am very interested in that the savage youth model in .243. I am now also considering the 30-30.

How about the Mini-30? Would this be equivalent to the 30-30 for deer hunting? Would a mini 30 be accurate enough out to 150 yards? I know the cartridge is certainly enough power at the 125-150 yard range to kill a deer.

I am attracted to the ruger mini style because they look like they would be easy to aim and shoot offhand. I know it is best to use something to steady your shot but I think it would be nice to be able to make offhand shots with some level of accuaracy.

As I said before the 6.8 seems like a great cartidge but re-loading is not possible for me right now and the availability of ammo is not as good as I wuold like. But there seems to be boatloads of 7.62x39, even at Wally world.
 
The 6.5 x 55 cartridge is an outstanding cartridge for those who are recoil sensitive. Rem made a M700 in the caliber and so did Winchester in the M70 classic. A number of folks have recommended the 7-08, and that is an excellent round too.

If this is your first rifle, and you first shooting experience, get a good bolt action .22LR and shoot a couple of thousand rounds. That will get you started down the path of sight alignment and trigger pull. Big recoiling rifles are a bad starting place to learn marksmanship. The things are loud, kick hard, very sensitive to position, and all the time you are flinching and jerking the trigger. Also, they are expensive to shoot. Accurate shooting is a skill and takes a lot of time an effort to get good at it.
 
I am a very good shot with my AR and my 10/22 as well as my bolt action marlins. Not the best but pretty good. I shoot at least once a week and have probably shot 3000 rounds of .22lr since last deer season. I also shoot my AR fairly regulary, and I am a very good shot with it. I can consistenly make 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards with my scope rapid fire without the use of a bench rest. But the 30-06 is another story. That is why I am so attracted to the Mini, I like the idea of having a small semi auto with little to no recoil. I also think it would be easier for me to handle in the woods instead of lugging around my giant 30-06.
 
I'd also say get a 6.8 upper for your AR. It's 2008, not 1958, you can buy ammo off the net with no problems. I'd buy a 1/2 case of 500. That should be enough to sight-in, get you acquainted with the round, and harvest a few deer.

Check natchezss.com, midwayusa.com, aimsurplus.com, and ammunitiontogo.com for ammo. Save the brass and either sell it or reload it.

I'm not a big fan of the Mini. The one I handled felt insubstantial. Plus, it's a new platform for you to learn. You know the AR, shoot it well, and it fits you.
 
that remmy model 7 is a great rifle, like i said i have one. if it is loaded with 130 gr rounds you will find it as effective deer rifle as you will find.

I would recomend it every time

steve in the uk
 
Take a look at the Remington Model 7 or the Remington 750. I looked at the 750's yesterday. Not a bad little carbine rifle and should be good medicine in NY state.

You will have to learn to conquer the flinch thing. Wear good ear protection which helps.
 
How about a Rem 700 LTR in .308? I have one and I'm very happy with the accuracy. It's also quite light and the barrel is only 20 inches long. Recoil isn't too bad either.
 
I have a mini 30, and I plan to carry it some this season. Mine shoots 1-2" groups with a very old Weaver 4x scop at 100 yards. I hit a 4"x4" steel square consistently at 150 yards with the scope and without. AND mine is not the new RANCH RIFLE model, either!
 
With open sights my Mini-30 is giving me about 4" groups at 100 yards, but that's the same as I'm getting with my Father-in-Law's Ruger #1 in 30-06 with open sights (and I KNOW it'll group very small with a good scope - my eyes are crap.) If I put a scope on my Mini-30 I have no doubt my groups would shrink.

I am a big fan of Rugers, I've been very pleased with all the things I've had from them. I think you'd like the feel of the Ruger. I also think you'd be pleased with the AR conversion upper to 7.62x39. Either would be a great deer rifle. I'm very pleased with that caliber.

I have a DPMS AR-10 in .243. Talk about a sweetheart of a gun. I'd choose that over any of the other choices listed here. The .243 is easily one of the very best deer cartridges, in my opinion. With the right load it shoots sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and has as much kick as a hamster. You could shoot that thing all day long and not even get a tender spot on your shoulder. If you don't want to spring for $1k to get an AR-10, do look at the bolt .243s out there. Any of the manufacturers make a good rifle in that caliber, if you decide to go that way shop around and actually handle all of the rifles you're considering before you buy. Pick the one you are most comfortable with.
 
Have you ever considered an AR platform

"I know it is not the gun. My brother shot it and he was getting great accuracy. I think its too big for me. I know I can shoot because I am a very good shot with my AR off hand and off the bench. I am also a very god shot with my 10/22. But both of these guns are smaller with of course less recoil. I think my short arms are one of the main problems."

Have you ever considered an AR maybe in .308 or what ever caliber you want anymore you can find them in almost anything. Maybe even just buy an upper if the conversion will work eith your current platform.

Smithiac
 
IMO a 30-30 336 marlin will be the best bet for you. a 20" carbine will do good out to 200 yards easy.

very little recoil, quick second shot capability.

Seek out a 30-30.
 
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